Japan's role in Korea

If South Korea tries to take political advantage of Hwang Jang-yop's (secretary of the Korean Workers' Party of North Korea) defection, North-South relations will go from bad to worse, which would benefit no one. What role, then should Japan play?

Following on the heels of the United States, South Korea also decided to provide food assistance to North Korea through international organizations.

But Japan has not responded to calls for help by those groups. The likely reason for Japan's coolness is the suspected kidnapping of a schoolgirl in Niigata Prefecture 19 years ago.

North Korea denies that it was involved in the kidnapping, but the Japanese government should make an official inquiry in order to bring the truth to light. Provision of food to rescue starving people should be dealt with separately, however, irrespective of North Korea's possible involvement in the kidnapping. Together with the other nations involved, Japan must contribute towards easing tensions.

-- Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo